H&K is next in line for HKTA account

HONG KONG: Citing 'strategic differences,' Spring O'Brien has become the second PR firm to resign the Hong Kong Tourism Authority (HKTA) account after a short run as agency of record, with Hill & Knowlton rumored to have picked the business up.

HONG KONG: Citing 'strategic differences,' Spring O'Brien has become the second PR firm to resign the Hong Kong Tourism Authority (HKTA) account after a short run as agency of record, with Hill & Knowlton rumored to have picked the business up.

HONG KONG: Citing 'strategic differences,' Spring O'Brien has become the second PR firm to resign the Hong Kong Tourism Authority (HKTA) account after a short run as agency of record, with Hill & Knowlton rumored to have picked the business up.

Spring O'Brien had held the account for a year after its predecessor, BSMG, resigned the account after 20 months.

H&K declined to comment on whether or not it was handling the account, as did the HKTA. Sources close to the account, however, confirmed the agency's appointment.

The account is said to be a tough one. Hong Kong has labored in recent years to rebuild its tourism industry, pouring millions into the effort while straining to overcome a regional recession and suffering frequent clashes with China's central government. To make matters worse, Hong Kong's legislature has, in the past, proven ambivalent toward the use of outside agencies for PR, with some members calling it a waste of money.